This is the Internal Only Recruitment Site for UK Research and Innovation Staff for roles within Innovate UK (UKRI).
Please apply for jobs via this site only if you are employed by UK Research and Innovation (employees with access to Innovate UK's Workday system may apply via the "Careers" application within the system).
If you are not a current UKRI employee you can view vacancies at the externally advertised stage at the links given in the "About Us information on the right". If you wish to apply for the position below, please ensure that you comply with the requirements of the recruitment process by submitting both a full CV and application letter. Ideally, you should also advise your manager of your application.
Applications must be submitted by
Innovation Lead - Ofgem SIF
This is an exciting and varied role developing and delivering the technical/innovation aspects of the Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund. A good understanding of energy markets and network operations is key.
*Please note this advert will close on the 26th February 2026 at 23.59pm.
Watch our video "Why Join Innovate UK?" here.
Title: Innovation Lead - Ofgem SIF - x2 positions
Band: UKRI Band F (UKRI Ts & Cs)
Salary: £58,589 gross per annum
Reports to: Innovation Manager
Location: Field based
Contract: Permanent
Innovate UK recognises the importance of work-life balance and we will be happy to discuss any requests for flexible working arrangements.
Context:
Innovate UK is Ofgem's delivery partner for the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF). The Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund is the largest UK energy innovation fund. It was established in 2021 as a £450 million funding programme, designed to drive innovation and transformation in energy networks. From 2026, this funding is increasing by a further £500m +. Innovation is critical to ensuring networks can facilitate decarbonisation across Britain's energy system. SIF accelerates transformational whole energy system innovation to address climate change and ensure value for money for people who use and pay for networks.
For more information about the Strategic Innovation Fund visit:
The role holder will operate within the Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund Team which sits within the Net Zero Domain.
Job Purpose:
This is an exciting and varied role developing and delivering the technical aspects of the Ofgem SIF programme. A good understanding of energy markets, price controls, Ofgem and network companies is key. You will be responsible for working with project teams throughout the idea generation and development, application, assessment, delivery and evaluation lifecycle of the project. Alongside project level work, you will be responsible for coordination of cross-sector working groups (SIF Innovation Delivery Groups). Launching in 2026, these groups will play a key role in ensuring a collaborative, coordinated and focused approach to achieving Innovation Challenge objectives and making sure wider learnings from projects are disseminated effectively.
We are keen to hear from applicants who demonstrate understanding of how innovation funding drives investible propositions, and the types of projects that could deliver a net-zero future.
This role requires you to work in an agile manner with Ofgem, network companies and other partners. You will be iterating and developing the ongoing innovation strategy for the programme and working collaboratively with key stakeholders across the sector. We aim to increase the pipeline of innovative ideas entering the programme and the number of projects successful achieving deployment as they leave the programme. The role will involve working alongside technical, regulatory and policy teams within partner organisation, acting as a technical authority and thought leader.
Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:
* Be a subject matter expert in a technical theme relevant to the SIF (such as network planning, flexibility and resilience or physical network infrastructure, green gases, data and AI,) and participate and support Innovation Delivery Groups related to this theme.
* Manage and facilitate the delivery of a portfolio of strategically important innovation projects that will be instrumental in achieving UK decarbonisation and climate targets, including coordination of the assessment process, Stage Gates, reviewing project deliverables and attendance at kick off and quarterly review meetings.
* Gather key insights and learnings from a portfolio of SIF projects to enable programme level analysis and lead the drafting of learning and insight materials.
* Support Innovation Managers and Head of Innovation in insight dissemination activities.
* Represent the programme and providing thought-leadership in key public and government forums, including conferences, meetings and workshops and in the media as appropriate.
* Deliver and continuously improve all steps of the competition and assessment process, in partnership with the other team members.
* Build strong working relationships with relevant bodies and groups. This includes networks, businesses, trade associations, Catapults, government departments, private investors, regulatory bodies and research organisations.
* Promotion of the programme based on an excellent understanding of relevant industries and technologies.
* Facilitate collaboration between stakeholders and the formation of high performing project partnerships.
* Identifying and establishing new partnership arrangements to utilise a range of funding types and support to businesses.
* Support Innovation Managers in facilitating collaboration across UKRI and UK government departments, helping to align energy systems funding and using the knowledge and capability of other teams to realise success.
* Ensure that UK activity is internationally recognized, competitive, and builds on regional strengths across the UK.
* Line management responsibilities may be required in this role and cross team working is essential.
This is not an exhaustive list and you might be encouraged to undertake any other duties across the wider directorate, commensurate with the Band and level of responsibility of this post, for which the post holder has the key experience and/or training.
Shortlisting criteria
(S) – Assessed at shortlisting
(I) – Assessed at interview
(S&I) – Assessed at both shortlisting and interview
Person Specification:
This position requires a person with technical and commercial awareness who can manage contending priorities between multiple partners and organisations. We are looking for someone able to make sense of multiple information sources and articulate a clear and compelling vision. Someone who can is passionate about and can effectively communicate what needs to be done to deliver a world leading Net Zero innovation programme, and whom can translate this vision into a series of targets.
The successful applicant should be a team player, willing to share knowledge on clean growth and to learn from others. We are looking for a motivated self-starter with an excellent ability to communicate to wide audiences in an engaging manner. Someone with the ability to identify and build positive collaborations and strategic partnerships to deliver against Innovate UK's Net Zero Innovation Strategy.
Experience & Qualifications:
Essential
* Degree in electrical engineering, energy, or a related technical discipline or equivalent relevant experience. (S)
* Strong technical knowledge and interest in energy networks and energy system innovation. (S&I)
* Experience in energy system decarbonisation, grid innovation, or network operations. (S&I)
* Proven experience coordinating and delivering complex technical programmes, particularly in energy networks, innovation projects, or regulated industries. (S&I)
* Experience in managing and reviewing technical deliverables, assessing feasibility, compliance, and benefits realisation. (S&I)
* Experience in translating technical outputs into accessible insights for non-technical audiences. (S&I)
* Strong stakeholder engagement experience, including building and managing relationships with senior stakeholders, regulators, government departments, network operators, and industry partners. (S&I)
* Clear ability to develop, grow and use personal and business networks (I)
Competencies:
All team members demonstrate compatibility with and capability against our Core Competencies such as:
Thinking and Problem Solving – Stakeholder management – Communication skills – Influencing – Self-awareness/self-management – Strategic awareness – Working with others– Project management
Some of the above competencies will be assessed at interview stage, in addition to the criteria's listed in the person specification.
Travel Requirements:
Field-based: There will a requirement to travel, mostly national, and there is some flexibility in this. Innovate UK staff make extensive use of telepresence tools for meetings to minimise unnecessary travel.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:
Innovate UK is a diverse workforce of people. We believe that encouraging these differences and drawing the best from them will build a productive environment in which everyone feels valued, where talents are fully utilised and in which organisational goals are met. Underpinning this is a belief that it is a fundamental right for everyone to be treated equally, with fairness, respect and dignity. We will act directly and use our influence to ensure that this right is promoted and upheld; we encourage applications from all those who meet the criteria set-out in our role profiles.
Equal Opportunities:
We are an equal opportunities employer, committed to employing any person who meets the criteria for our roles. When undertaking recruitment we may require applicants to undertake certain tests or assessments, some of which will be online and others may be in-person. If you have a disability, heath condition or specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia then you may be entitled to support with undertaking this type of assessment exercise. Where you feel that reasonable adjustments are required to support you, we ask that you advise your recruitment point of contact in a timely fashion, providing further information. In confidence, Innovate UK will then review your application for adjustments and provide support as required.
UK Research and Innovation:
Innovate UK is partner organisation within UK Research and Innovation. If successful in securing the position, your employer will be UK Research and Innovation. More information can be found online
Employee Benefits:
We offer a benefits package crafted to provide an excellent work/life balance. This includes 30 days' annual leave, 10.5 public and privilege days, flexible working hours, an exceptional defined benefit pension scheme, and access to a variety of support networks and discount schemes.
Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
Flexible Working:
We understand the importance of work-life balance, and are happy to discuss the possibility of flexible working with applicants.
Pre-employment Screening:
To enable us to hire the very best people we will conduct a comprehensive pre-employment check on successful applicants as part of the recruitment process.
The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.
UKRI supports research in areas that include animal health, agriculture and food security, and bioscience for health which includes research on animals, genetic modification and stem cell research. Whilst you may not have direct involvement in this type of research, you should consider how this aligns with your personal values or beliefs. To enable us to hire the very best people we will conduct a full and comprehensive pre-employment check as a crucial part of the recruitment process on all individuals that are offered a position with UKRI. This will include a security check and an extreme organisations affiliation check.
Applications must be submitted by;